Tubing bleeder



' 1,639,004 1927' L. H. RILEY ET AL TUBING BLEEDER Filed June 23, 1925 attorney Patented Aug. 16, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS HARRY RILEY AND CLARENCE OSCAR WOOD, 0F FELLOWS, CALIFORNIA.

TUBING BLEEDER.

Application filed June 23, 1925. Serial No. 89,143

This invention relates to well apparatus and has particular reference to means for bleeding or draining the well tubing.

An important object of the invention is to provide means in association with well tubing for bleeding the liquid matter therefrom to permit convenient elevation of the tubing.

A further object of the invention is to provide means of the above character which may be operated to permit drainage of the liquid matter from the tubing into the well.

A still further object of the invention is to provide tubing bleeder means which may be readily associated wit-h the well tubing and very easily operated.

Another object of the invention is to provide tubing bleeder means of the above character which are extremely simple and durable of construction and can be manufactured at a comparatively low cost.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the description progresses.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a central vertical sectional view taken through the device embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is a similar View taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of the drain valve locking means.

As is well known by those familiar with the art, it is often necessary during the operation of a well to elevate the well tubing to repair or replace portions of the tubing or rod structure. It is customary before elevation of the tubing to drain the oil or other .liquid matter therein so as to save the liquid and materially lessen the weight of the tubing. It is, therefore, necessary to provide means in association with the tubing, usually adjacent the lower extremity, to automatically-open the tubing and permit the oil to flow into the well. This is accomplished, at the present time, by the provision of various mechanisms usually of comparatively complicated structure, unreliable in operation, and of comparatively high cost.

With this in mind, our invention resides in the provision of means which will eificiently drain the tubing, and at the same time be durable of construction and simple.

Referring now more particularly to the \structure embodying our invention, the numeral 5 generally designates the main tube sectlon of my device, this section being of comparatively large diameter and internally screw threaded at the extremities. The upper end of the main section 5 enga es the lower auxiliary section 6 externa ly screw threaded at its lower extremity to engage the screw threads formed on the upper end of the section 5 and internally screw threaded at the upper extremity to engage an upper auxiliary section 7. The upper auxlliary section 7 is externally screw threaded at its extremities, the lower end engaging the lower section 6 and the upper extremity being adapted to Fmrm in any desirable manner, the usual well tubing.

The lower end of the main section 5 engages a downwardly depending sleeve 8 externally screw threaded at its upper end and havlng its upper edge inclined downwardly toward the inner side to provide an angular seat 9. Formed on the lower edge of the sleeve 8 are a pair of diametrically opposed angular slots 9', providing transverse projections, the purpose of which will become apparent as the description progresses. Mounted within the sleeve 8 and extendmg in spaced relation therein is a connecting section 10 carrying a pair of transversely directed lugs 10' on its outer sides, normally positioned directly beneath the slots 9 formed on the sleeve 8. The outer diameter of this section is somewhat smaller than the inner diameter of the sleeve 8 providing a substantial space between the members. The upper and lower extremities of the section 10 are externally screw threaded, the upper threaded end connecting with a cylindrical valve member 11, internally screw threaded at its lower end for engagement with this section. The lower edge of the valve member 11 is beveled so as to snugly engage the angular seat formed on the sleeve 8 providing a tight fitting connection thereon. The upper portion of the valve member is provided with a circular row of apertures 12 formed adjacent the upper edge to readily permit the passage of liquid matter therethrough. It is to be noted that the outer diameter of the valve member 11 is subtubing or casing.

stantially smaller than the inner diameter of the main tube section 5 permitting the valve to be readily moved within the main section and the passage of liquid matter thereabout. lhe lower extremity of the connecting section 10 is associated in any de sirable manner with the conventional well tion 10 and valve member 11 secured thereon to remain stationary while the main tube section 5 and auxiliary sections carried thereby continue downward for a substan tial distance. This operation will obviously force the sleeve 8 carried by the main section to become disengaged from the cylindrical valve member and the valve will be unseated. The liquid matter will then flow through the circular opening formed between the valve and sleeve members out into the well and the casing properly drained. By slightly rotating the main section 5 relative to the section 10 the lugs 10' will engage the slots 9 formed on the sleeve 8 and permit elevation of the tubing with the valve in its raised position.

It is to be understood that the form of our invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the preferred example of the same and that various changes as to the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described our invention, We claim:

1. A tubing bleeder comprising in combination a main tube section, an auxiliary section secured to the main tube section and adapted to connect the same with a well tubing, a sleeve secured to the lower end of the main tube section having a beveled edge, a valve member mounted on the sleeve movable within the main tube section, a connecting member extending in spaced relation within the sleeve member and secured to the valve member, a spring member positioned between the valve member, the auxiliary section adapted to normally retain valve member firmly seated on the sleeve, the said sleeve being provided with angular slots engageable with lugs provided on the In order that the valve valve connecting member so as to permit elevation of the valve, and raise the tube with the valve in its raised position.

2. A tubing bleeder for oil wells comprising a main tube section secured at its upper end with the oil well tubing, a sleeve se-- porting sleeve, means for resiliently urging the valve member snugly on its seat, and co-acting connecting means formed on the lower end of the valve supporting sleeve and upon the connecting member respectively arranged for operative engagement when the upper tube section is lowered to unseat the valve.

3. In a tubing bleeder the combination with an upper well tubing section and the lower section, a main bleeder section having its upper end rigidly secured to the lower end of the upper tubing, a valve supporting sleeve secured within the lower end of the main bleeder section formed with a valve seat at its upper edge, a valve section adapted to be snugly fitted upon the upper edge of the sleeve and disposedin spaced relation within the main bleeder secti on, a connecting section rigidly secured with the lower edge of the valve and projecting in spaced relation within the valve supporting sleeve, spring means disposed within the main bleeder section adapted to normally urge the valve upon the seat, and coacting connecting means formed at the lower end of the supporting sleeve and adjacent the lower end of the connecting section respectively, adapted for engagement when the upper main tubing is lowered so as to unseat the valve and retain the same in ele- .vated position.

4. In a tubing bleeder comprising a main tube section, an auxiliary section connecting the main tube section with the well tubing, a sleeve secured in the lower end of the .main section having its upper edge beveled,

a vertically movable valve member mounted in the tube section adapted to be seated on the sleeve, a connecting section secured to the lower portion of the valve member and movable therewith, and means for resiliently urging the valve member in tightly.

fitted position on the sleeve.

In testimony whereof we 'afiix our signatures. Y

LOUIS HARRY RILEY CLARENCE OSCAR WOOD, 

